PALMER, Alaska (KTUU) – On September 21, 2024, East Anchorage then-sophomore Katahdin Staples finished second at the Mustang Smokin’ Stampede cross country meet.
In the 12 meets he has attended in the state of Alaska since, Staples has gotten first place at every single one. That streak includes the 2024 ASAA State Championships, as well as the 2025 edition of Alaska’s biggest cross country meet, which the junior won on Saturday.
“Last year when I won state, I did it for my team, for my coaches, for all my teammates,” Staples said after a celebratory finish as one of said teammates held up a handmade “KATAHDIN? MORE LIKE KATAH-WIN” sign in the background. “This year, it felt like this one was really for me. It was to prove to myself that [last year] wasn’t just a fluke, that I deserved that spot.”…